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Wednesday, May 13, 2015

As we have reported over the last coupe weeks, Disney 's Descendants is premiering on The Disney Channel this summer. We also reviewed the prequel book to the film Isle of the Lost by Mellisa de la Cruz. The Descendants saga promises to be a unique and entertaining take on Disney's classic villains and will expand upon their established lore by following the adventures of their children!

We have partnered with Disney Publishing to bring you a truly magical opportunity! Beginning today, one DisFanReview reader will get the chance to host your own Premiere Party for the Disney Channel Original Movie, One (1) winner will receive 5 copies of The Isle of the Lost for you and your guests, you will also recieve temporary tattoos and two sets of hair chalk to look the part for your premiere party!

There are 4 ways to win.

1. Follow @DisFanReview on Twitter and tweet us a message using #DisneyDescendants and @DisFanReview!

2. Follow @DisFanReview on Instagram and LIKE the the photo you see above and leave a comment on it.

3. Comment on this post telling us why you are excited for Disney's Descendants.

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

If you've ever wondered what it would be like for the most famous Disney Villains to be parents, then you should really take a look at The Isle of the Lost by Melissa de la Cruz. The Isle of the Lost is a prequel to the Descendants movie on Disney Channel premiering later in 2015, it explores the lives of the villains banished to the Isle of the lost, and the heroes that live happily ever after in the United Kingdom of Auradon. The story starts out following the misadventures and bad deeds of Mal, Jay, Carlos, and Evie, the children of Maleficent, Jafar, Cruella De Vil, and The Evil Queen, respectively. Life on the Isle of the Lost is dreary and, well, evil. Everything you could imagine a banished hoard of villains would do with their magicless lives, vandalism, evil pranks, and of course, evil school.

The island has no magic and only left over supplies from Auradon for food, and pretty much any thing else someone might need. The great villains of old have fallen to great lows, gaining in age, weight, bitterness, and somehow becoming even more insane than they were in their prime. The isle is locked up in a magical dome that is impossible to break, Carlos De Vil however, creates a device that can pierce the dome, if only for a few moments. These four children try their hardest to live up to their parents expectations of darkness and evil, only to constantly let their parents down. While they are the children of villains, they aren't necessarily villains themselves. Throughout the book these four go from being enemies, to becoming close friends performing good deeds and disappointing their parents. It's really interesting to see that the children of villains are the heroes of this book and inevitably the heroes of the film.

Isle of the Lost is a Fantastic trek through the dark side of Disney. A wonderful adventure for fans of any age. It gives the audience a new look into the stories of the classic Disney villains and heroes that everyone knows and loves. It's a great starting point for kids, teens and adults that will prep them for the film. It's a prequel to the movie, right up until the last line which comes right before the opening of the movie. This book really sets the movie up for the reader in a way that makes this feel like a truly original Disney film. We're going to get a look at the villains we've all loved for years in a new modern way that should open up the Disney Universe for fans new and old.

Melissa de la Cruz is best known for Bluebloods, her young adult series about vampires that lived in Manhattan. Not the magical Isle of the Lost, but still a great read that fans of the Descendants should check out. De la Cruz is a fantastic writer who truly takes her readers to other worlds. She uses fantastic imagery and great detail. It's nearly impossible to not carried away to the realms she has created for the reader. Disney could not have picked a better author for this book. I am excited to see the Descendants film and what it has to offer.

Last week we reported that The Muppets will be returning to prime time TV this fall, and now we have the first trailer for the show. It's pretty wild too. When ABC promised that the show was a more 'adult' type show, they really weren't kidding.

Official synopsis from ABC

“The original Muppets was making fun of all the variety shows that were going on at the time and thought ‘Why don’t we go out and make fun of all the mockumentaries?'” ABC president Paul Lee explained to reporters Tuesday morning. “The Muppets isn’t going to look like The Muppets looked the last time [it was] on TV.”

The Muppets return to primetime with a contemporary, documentary-style show. For the first time ever, a series will explore the Muppets’ personal lives and relationships, both at home and at work, as well as romances, breakups, achievements, disappointments, wants and desires. This is a more adult Muppet show, for “kids” of all ages.

Sunday, May 10, 2015

From the set of FOX's DEADPOOL film, Ryan Reynolds tweeted this photo that is probably the oddest Mothers Day tribute we are likely to see this year. However, it is in keeping with what has been a truly impressive marketing campaign that is keeping the DEADPOOL film in everyone's mind, and on their laptops. So, having said that... Let us wish you and your Mom a happy Mothers Day.

This rumor has been going around that Disney was planning to return The Muppets to television this fall. Today Entertainment Weekly has confirmed that ABC is doing just that. The show is currently titled just 'The Muppets' is set to be a mockumentary type show in the vain of The Office or Parks and Rec. So probably not coincidentally, the series is being helmed by The Office’s Randall Einhorn, and will be co-written by The Big Bang Theory‘s Bill Prady and Bob Kushell, and Muppet performer Bill Barretta. No official release date has been set but you can be sure there will be a lot of hype to herald The Muppets triumphant return to television, the media were they got their start.

From Entertainment Weekly

The Muppets will officially return to prime time with a contemporary, documentary-style show that, for the first time ever, will explore the Muppets’ personal lives and relationships, both at home and at work, as well as romances, break-ups, achievements, disappointments, wants and desires—a more adult Muppet show, for kids of all ages. The recent pilot presentation, we’re told, received a standing ovation when it screened for ABC executives a couple weeks ago. Bill Prady and Bob Kushell are co-writers and executive producers alongside Randall Einhorn and Bill Barretta.

Thursday, May 7, 2015

If you're a STAR WARS fan and you haven't been reading MARVEL's Darth Vader mini-series, you are missing out. The series is the fascinating tale of a master of darkness struggling to reclaim a mantle that is rightly his. After the destruction of the first Death Star, Darth Vader finds that he has fallen out of the Emperor's favor. Vader has been relegated to the farthest reaches of the Imperial fleet and most insulting of all, the Emperor has appointed him a babysitter.

Darth Vader isn't one to be marginalized. He devises a plan to return to the Emperors good graces and enlists the aid of an unethical archaeologist, two twisted torture droids and an army of his own. With their help and the power of the dark side, Darth Vader will return to his station as the Emperors most trusted disciple.

Issue #5 of the mini-series is due out on May 13th and we have a sneak preview of what is to come!

In Marvel’s Darth Vader by Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larroca, the Emperor’s chief enforcer looks to reestablish his standing after the destruction of the Death Star, and find the Rebel pilot who destroyed the Empire’s ultimate weapon. He plots, manipulates, and destroys his way to results. And his mission is not over.

Check out an exclusive first look at issue #5 (on sale May 13) below, in which Vader, with a droid army at his command, travels into deep space…

With the close of STAR WARS Celebration and San Diego Comic Con rapidly headed our way, It's no surprise that more details for this years D23 Expo are headed our way. This year MARVEL and Lucasfilm are set to have a significant presence. The likelihood is that we will see another trailer for STAR WARS Episode VII: The Force Awakens and a sneak peek at Rogue one. With the news that Captain America:Civil War began filming today, we are likely to see a few things from that film at the D23 Expo as well.

Fan-Favorite Events, Including the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, Take Center Stage in New 7,500-Seat “Hall D23” Venue at the Anaheim Convention Center

BURBANK, Calif., May 7, 2015 – D23: The Official Disney Fan Club announces the lineup of the most highly anticipated presentations at D23 EXPO 2015, August 14–16. The Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, will kick off the Expo on Friday, August 14. Later that same day, The Walt Disney Studios will give fans a sneak peek at all the latest from Disney Animation and Pixar. On Saturday morning, The Walt Disney Studios will preview the coming slate of live-action films from Disney, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. Then on Saturday afternoon, fans will get a preview of what’s in store at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts during a presentation hosted by Parks Chairman Bob Chapek.

To showcase these Expo favorites, Disney is creating “Hall D23,” a new 7,500-seat venue located in Hall D of the Anaheim Convention Center, so that more guests than ever can see the presentations live and in person.

The Schedule of Hall D23 Events and Presentations includes the following (times and additional announcements forthcoming; all events subject to change):

The Disney Legends Awards Ceremony will take place Friday, August 14. The ceremony, hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, will once again honor those who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy. The creativity and innovation of these visionaries and artists have earned them a place among such names as Dame Julie Andrews, Howard Ashman, Annette Funicello, Sir Elton John, Angela Lansbury, Steve Martin, Alan Menken, Hayley Mills, Fess Parker, Dick Van Dyke, Barbara Walters, and Robin Williams. At the D23 EXPO in 2013, Tony Baxter, Collin Campbell, Dick Clark, Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Jobs, Glen Keane, and Ed Wynn were inducted.

In two separate Hall D23 sessions, The Walt Disney Studios will unveil an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at its upcoming film slate. At Friday’s session, fans will go in-depth with the talented filmmakers at Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios to get a sneak peek at films such as Zootopia and Finding Dory. On Saturday, live-action titles such as Alice Through the Looking Glass and The Jungle Book and films from Marvel and Lucasfilm, along with some very special guests, take center stage.

On the afternoon of Saturday, August 15, join Bob Chapek, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, for a behind-the-scenes peek at the magical experiences and entertainment coming to Disney’s parks and resorts around the world.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are available at a discounted price for a limited time. Until June 30, 2015, tickets are $67 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $58 for a one-day adult admission and $42 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $188 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

About D23 EXPO 2015

D23 EXPO—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. For the latest D23 EXPO 2015 news, visit D23EXPO.com. To join the D23 EXPO conversation, make sure to follow @DisneyD23 on Twitter and use #D23Expo.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold and General Membership levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.

MARVEL has announced today that CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR has begun filming in Atlanta, Georgia. The film is already set to have the largest collection of characters from the MARVEL universe but the cast list in the official announcement contained a few surprises including the fact that Paul Bettany(Vision) and Paul Rudd(Ant-Man) will be in the film, and the unexpected announcement that William Hurt is returning as Thunderbolt Ross, which will provide a new connection between The Incredible Hulk and the current MARVEL Cinematic Universe.

Official Synopsis From MARVEL

Captain America: Civil War picks up where Avengers: Age of Ultron left off, as Steve Rogers leads the new team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. After another international incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability and a governing body to determine when to enlist the services of the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers while they try to protect the world from a new and nefarious villain.

After his debut in Marvel’s “Ant-Man” on July 17, 2015, Paul Rudd (“Ant-Man,” ”Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues”) will make his first appearance alongside the Avengers as Scott Lang/Ant-Man in “Captain America: Civil War.”